Minor Moves: Wood, Burton, Gonzalez, Buchholz

The Rockies have signed infielder Brandon Wood, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Wood will make $100K over the league minimum if he makes the big league roster, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (via Twitter). Wood, of course, was once a blue-chip prospect with the Angels.

The Padres released second baseman Alberto Gonzalez. San Diego appears to be clearing 40-man roster space in anticipation of next month's Rule 5 draft.

Right-hander Taylor Buchholz elected free agency. The Mets removed Buchholz from their 40-man roster earlier in the week. He would have earned roughly $1.2MM in 2012 had the Mets retained him through arbitration. Earlier in the week GM Sandy Alderson was unsure if anxiety and depression would prevent Buchholz from pitching in 2012.

The depiction by MLB Trade Rumors about Buccholz is inaccurate because they relied on faulty presentation from Andy Martino of the NY Daily News and misinterpreted what Mets GM, Sandy Alderson said.

A few weeks ago I read an article on Buchholz about his situation and recovery and in it he said he’s enjoying his family, doing better and may no longer want to play baseball for a living. The unsure the Alderson was referring to is Buchholz career choice, not mental health.

Brandon Wood is still pretty young and “elevated” himself from horrifying to replacement level last year with the Pirates. I think he actually made some strides, small steps, small steps…he’s an interesting guy to have start at AAA to start and perhaps come on board as a utility player.